Sunset Sky

[Brett Valentine]

before (reference jpeg):


after (MRW - Minolta RAW format):


Okay, here's what I did. . .
the sky looked washed out in the picture. Really needed to boost the colors at the horizon.

RAW File edit:

Raised the exposure and contrast a little bit, black levels to about half way
Raised Clarity, Vibrance, Recovery, and boosted the sharpness amount, detail and the radius to to keep it from getting grainy

In PSE7



Plugin layers:

(PhotoWiz)Contrast Master (Layer: 27% Opacity)
Boost the definition and shadows.

(PhotoWiz) Focal Blade (Layer 20% opacity)
sharpened the edges (1 pixel radius - Gaussian), softened the surface (2.7 pixel radius - Gaussian) and brought down the white halo


turned the Contrast Master layer off as the combination of the two boosted the contrast too much. Relied on the Focal Blade layer for both filters.

Levels layer:(opacity 30%)
pushed both the shadows and midtones to the right to deepen the shadows and mids.

Hue & Saturation Layer:(100% Opacity)

Really boosted the saturation to bring back the orange in the horizon.

Then I masked out the blue section of the sky to remove the saturation and set up a small gradient between the orange horizon and blue sky/cloud layer.

Clouds are a little too blue and a little too "pseudo HDR" looking, but the horizon is pretty close.

[jcray19]

I personally like the colors of the revised sunset picture.
On that note, I do not necessarily like the framing of the picture, too much sky... Just an opinion.

Good job on the PP.

Chris

[Brett Valentine]

Thanks Chris, and yeah, I didn't want the buildings in the shot, but not having a horizin as a point of reference does detract from the shot. I agree with you. Next time, buildings included.

[MelodyT]

Hi there,

I like what you did in the edited version. In my opinion, this shot is really lovely, even without the horizon as a reference point, but then I love clouds and sky shots. The buildings would only subtract from the beauty of the sky. Shots like this gives one the same feeling you get when you're out in the country and you have 'big sky'. I can sit for ages just looking up at the sky and clouds - it's so relaxing! Since we can't do that all the time, shots like this are a blessing...
WELL DONE!

Regards,
Melody
Photography is a window to my soul...

[Brett Valentine]

Wow, thanks Melody.

That's how I feel about looking up at the sky and clouds. I really like having a 17-75mm zoom (even if it is only an f/3.5 kit lens) it's hard to describe the amazing view from my terrace to people, but the pics do it. I've got a bunch more, and might post them soon.

[coltter]

the color and mood of second shot is really excellent. great shot.

[Brett Valentine]

Thanks. Some days it's easy to get good shots.